title: Video-guided tube thoracostomy with use of an electrical nonfiberoptic endoscope.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tube thoracostomy is a common and generally safe procedure. However, potential hazards can occur during placement of the chest tube. Inasmuch as unexpected injuries may arise from tube thoracostomy, we propose a novel video-guided method.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used an independent complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor with a processing chip to obtain a front view image of the chest cavity. The device is connected to an aluminum shaft with four small light-emitting diode crystals in the tip, and a detachable small monitor with a battery inside. The apparatus is small and can be used to direct vision-guided tools in tube thoracostomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We performed video-guided tube thoracostomy in 6 patients with pleural adhesions. All patients experienced good tolerance to the procedure and had no immediate adverse events. The thoracostomies were performed by a single surgeon with good acceptability, and each procedure was completed in less than 10 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In some cases of pleural adhesion, the video-guided thoracostomy may be a safer alternative to non-image guided tube thoracostomy.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: musclenet2003@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Chih-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ho
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tzu-Ti
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chao-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Sports Science Center Research Institute, MusclePharm, Inc, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Chih-Yin
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Tai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015505:Chest Tubes; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies; D019723:Endoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 14